Jewel in the Crown: Old City Hall Station

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This is a members only or member pre-sale event. You must sign in to verify your eligibility.

This event is no longer on sale.

Saturday September 14

2:00 PM  –  3:30 PM

In 1904, New York City’s very first subway ride departed from the architecturally stunning City Hall station in Lower Manhattan, a moment of great civic pride for the city. Though the station is still active as a turnaround for the 6 line, it was decommissioned in 1945. Only New York Transit Museum members have the exclusive opportunity to step inside this landmark through guided tours, and discover its elegant chandeliers, leaded skylights, vaulted tile ceiling, and sweeping structural curves.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and begin above ground with the fascinating history of Alfred Beach’s Pneumatic Tube and the development of the city’s first subway system. The tour then heads underground to explore the station designed by renowned architects George Heins & Christopher LaFarge, featuring innovative tiled ceilings by master artisan Rafael Guastavino.

 

Tickets are $50 per person, and will be available at 10 am ET on January 14, 2026 to Transit Museum members only. 

 

Registration for Jewel in the Crown: Old City Hall Station is a Two-Step Process.  

Step 1: Become a Member and Buy Tickets 

First, become a member! Create an account in our online ticketing system. If you bought your membership online, you likely already set this up! If you’ve never bought tickets from us online before, create an account here. You do not need your membership card or number to buy tickets.

Then head to your selected tour’s ticketing page and log in to your membership account using the button at the top right corner. Once you’re logged in, you can purchase your ticket(s). 

  1.   

Step 2: Complete Security Requirements 

Ticket purchase does not guarantee admission. Because Old City Hall Station is a restricted site, each attendee must pass a required background check. Ticket holders must complete security requirements within 48 hours of purchase:

  • After you complete your purchase, you will receive instructions via an email from programs@nytransitmuseum.org to upload a government-issued ID for a required background check and to sign the Visitor Release Form. 
  • All ticketholders 18+ must complete the security requirements individually. If you are purchasing tickets for any guests, forward the link to them as they will not receive a separate email. Guests ages 10-17 do not need to submit an ID but must be listed by name on the purchaser’s form in the designated space. 
  • Failure to complete this step within 48 hours will cancel your registration and your ticket cost will become a tax-deductible donation to the New York Transit Museum.  
  • If a guest does not pass the background check, we will contact the guest via email as soon as we are notified.

Additional Information and Policies:

Ticketing

Tickets cost $50 per person and are only available to New York Transit Museum members.

 

Please note:

  • Our ticketing page is different from our online store and the two accounts are not connected.  
  • If you have not logged into your account recently, we recommend checking and/or updating your password prior to sales. 
  • Museum guest passes and caregiver add-ons are valid only for Museum admission. The PCA add-on for members with disabilities is valid for member-only programs but must be requested by emailing programs@nytransitmuseum.org as soon as tickets are purchased. 
  • Members can buy discounted tickets for the number of people covered by their membership. For more information on membership ticket allocations for the Old City Hall station tour, visit this page. 
  • Visit this page for more member ticketing FAQs. 

All ticket sales are final. If you cannot attend the program on the date you reserved or do not submit security materials in time, the total price of unused tickets will be treated as a donation to the Transit Museum and is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Tickets are non-refundable, cannot be transferred to another date, and cannot be used by another individual.   

 

Age Requirements

Children must be at least 10 years old to attend an Old City Hall Station tour and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  

 

Program Experience

Tours run rain or shine, and require walking, standing, and stair climbing. Restrooms are not available on the tour route and there may not be places to sit or amenities like climate control. The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, with about 20 minutes in the Old City Hall Station (which can be noisy).  

 

Please wear comfortable shoes (flip flops and backless shoes are prohibited) and dress for the weather, as part of our tour takes place above ground. 

 

Accessibility

Walking and climbing stairs required. Some parts of the tour are accessible for small, lightweight wheelchairs, but the full tour is not.  

 

Pets, or comfort, therapy, or emotional support animals are not permitted at Museum programs. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted. 

 

For information on American Sign Language interpreter requests, Assistive Listening Devices, or other accessibility matters please visit nytransitmuseum.org/accessibility or email access@nytransitmuseum.org. If you secure tickets, please request any accommodations via email at least two weeks after the time of ticket purchase.   

 

Review and download the Old City Hall Tour Social Narrative to learn more about what to expect at this popular event. 

 

Please click here to learn more about the Old City Hall Station tour and its policies.

Questions? Email programs@nytransitmuseum.org

Checking Out

Members can buy tickets for the number of people covered by their membership. For more information on membership ticket allocations for the Old City Hall station tour, visit this page. 

To receive the member ticket price:

  • Sign in above to verify membership.
  • Once signed in, enter your desired number of member tickets in the Adult Member/Child Member boxes.
  • Click the “Register” button and add your information.
  • The prices on this page will remain the same, and the member’s discount will automatically be applied at checkout on the last page.

After you book your ticket, you will receive three emails. One will be a receipt, another ticket(s), and the third will include more information about your program. Please contact programs@nytransitmuseum.org if you do not receive the third email.   

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